Baby Turning Update

We met with the doctor today to discuss our options for delivering this breech baby, and have decided to have the doctor attempt to turn him to the correct position next Thursday morning. This is called an external cephalic version, and involves twisting my abdomen to try to get the baby to somersault or backflip in to a head-first position. Looks and sounds like fun for me, right?! Good thing I'm so buff and tough. I'm even going to try it without any anesthesia, although I may wuss out and take it, if needed. The other option is to wait and see if he does it on his own, which is not very likely, or to do a c-section. If the version attempt works and the baby is doing great on the monitors, we will likely go home until he is ready for delivery. If it doesn't work, we may have a c-section then, or wait it out and see if he turns on his own before natural labor starts. If he doesn't turn before natural labor, it will require a c-section. There is a slight chance of emergency c-section if he doesn't look great on the monitors after the version attempt. There is also the chance that they will induce me if he turns. We were planning to have this baby as naturally as possible, but you never know what is in store. Basically, anything could happen next Thursday--we might end up with a baby that day, or it might be another week or more. We will just monitor how the baby is doing and decide from there. So, since next Sunday is fast Sunday, if any of you would like to include in your prayers the desire for this baby to turn correctly and for all to go perfectly for his upcoming delivery, we would be so grateful. Thank you so much. We'll keep you posted.

Feliz Cumpleaños to Corey

Today Corey turns the big 32, so I get to brag about what a wonderful person he is and how grateful I am that he was born. Corey came into the world breech, as our son is trying to emulate. (As a side note, there is research that shows that if one parent was born breech, that their firstborn offspring is twice as likely to be born breech. Thanks a lot, Corey!) I don’t know a lot about his childhood, except that he ate sugar by the spoonful and loved his dog, Charlie. I guess the events in Corey’s life aren’t nearly as important to me as are the character traits that make him who he is. Corey has the most genuine, humble personality of anyone I know. He never tries to steal the limelight or draw too much attention to himself. He is a loyal friend and companion. He is so thoughtful of others. I can seldom think of a time when he has spoken negatively about anyone. Children are naturally drawn to him. He is going to be the world’s best dad. All our nieces and nephews already flock to him due to his playful, caring nature. I adore him and am honored that he is my eternal sweetheart. Have a good one, Sweetie!

Turn Baby, Turn

Our little one is being a bit rebellious by hanging out right side up instead of upside down, as he should be. It is four weeks before his due date, and if he doesn’t turn around, there is a good chance he will have to be delivered by Cesarean section. I’m not so fond of that idea. We really want to have a normal, natural birth. So we’re trying to enlist as many friends and family as possible to pray with us that he will turn to the correct position before his delivery to help ensure a safer, more predictable situation for both Mom and Baby. Thanks!!

Take a Hike

Corey and I are not huge hikers, but we did go on a huge hike with my sister Natalie and her husband Ryan this winter. In February 2008, we hiked 23 miles in two days over the sea cliffs of the amazing Kalalau Trail in northern Kauai. It was the most awe-inspiring and difficult physical feat I have endured thus far in my life. Most of the trail is very narrow and steep, traversing large changes in elevation over jagged cliffs with the angry sea crashing hundreds of feet below. Most of the foliage we saw was a stunning tropical rainforest, replete with melodious birds singing us along our way. We also passed by several lovely waterfalls and streams. However, there were a few miles of winding through dry, dusty lava rock on an 8-12 inch wide path that I like to refer to as Hell. We encountered this stretch after I had taken a nasty spill forehead-first with my 20-plus pound pack pummeling me into the dirt. (Luckily, this happened at one of the rare wide spots in the trail rather than off a cliff!) I was ready to turn back, but luckily, my courageous Eagle Scout husband treated my wound, took my pack off for a few minutes while I rested, and then encouraged me to go on. I honestly don’t know how I managed it, because at this point, I was quite dizzy and scared that I would trip again and go sliding off the cliffs and into the ocean. I fantasized about throwing the heavy trail mix and tent poles I was carrying into the sea below to lighten my load. (I did end up leaving a pair of pants and my airplane pillow behind at the campsite for future hikers or the resident hippies to use, which I’m sure lightened my load by about 6 ounces!) Toward the end of the journey, we were entertained by numerous mountain goats that distracted me from the difficulty. At last, a few miles in the distance, we could see the pristine beach that was to be our final destination. We arrived just as the sun was setting and cooked our delicious Camp Chef meals on the beach, just as a giant cruise ship passed by. I stared at the passengers enviously, but realized that while they travelled there in luxury and were likely dining on steak and lobster as they viewed the beach from afar, the pasta that we cooked over our portable stove tasted even sweeter because of the travails we had gone through in arriving at our destination. Besides, they could only admire this beauty from the distance of the boat while we were privileged to feel the soft sand and bubbly waves beneath our weary feet. The biggest regret I have is not planning to make the expedition over three days instead of two, because knowing we had eleven miles to traverse beginning at dawn without having even a few hours of sunlight in which to enjoy this paradise was very disheartening. Hiking the Kalalau Trail was an amazing experience, and left a memorable impression on me that often the most pristine beauty can only truly be enjoyed after conquering great difficulties firsthand.

I Does What I Likes, and I Likes What I Do

I never thought I would be a dentist. My heart was set on medicine, but after working at both a hospital and dental office after college graduation, I realized that I hated the stress and irregular hours characteristic of medicine. On the other hand, I became surprisingly enthralled with teeth. The dental lifestyle was a good fit also--no nights or weekends and only four years of school.
I currently work in a community health center.

We see all kinds of patients, but more than 80% of mine are living below the poverty level. My patients come from all around the world. Most are of Latino origin, but some are also from Mongolia, Russia, and other obscure places. I love that I get to see such variety every day. I have learned quite a bit of Spanish. I also have had the opportunity to perform many difficult procedures that I would likely refer to a specialist if I were in private practice. If I do not perform these services on my patients, they will likely go without treatment and end up with severe problems. Many of my patients have never been to the dentist before—you can imagine what an adventure it is when I say, “Open wide!”

My favorite procedures involve oral surgery. I love a good set of wisdom teeth to begin the day. You can’t say I’m not domestically inclined, because I love to sew—just not with the usual materials you would make a quilt from. I also enjoy cosmetic fillings on the front teeth—a mini extreme makeover for my patients. Most of my patients are both very humble and very grateful for the services they receive. My least favorite days are filled with arduous root canals and screeching, biting children (and adults).

I am very grateful that I was able to get my education in a great field doing something I enjoy that both provides well for my family and allows me to use my knowledge and skills to help those in need.

Chim-Chim Charoo!

(In case you didn't catch the Mary Poppins inspired title)

Not perfect yet, but better, right?

Sorry about the gore, but. . . awesome!